FORTY-TWO club members and guests braved strong icy winds to compete in the Tavistock Athletic Club Christmas Handicap on Sunday morning.
The four-mile course on Whitchurch Down involved two steep hills which even the fitter runners found testing. Runners of all ages and abilities took part, so the fastest, Martin Exley, had to wait 22 minutes before he was allowed to start.
Undeterred, he sped through the field to finish in an excellent sixth place with the fastest time of the day.
Nicole Heryet excelled herself to win the trophy for the first club female to finish.
Star of the day was nine-year-old Michael Johnson. He took the lead in the latter half of the race. Determined not to be beaten, he held off a strong challenge from Wendy Cooper to win by five seconds.
After a quick session with the photographer, runners and officials all retired to The Halfway House for the prizegiving and some well-earned hot soup.